A satisfied Jack O'Connor said Kerry had come through the "despair" of last month's defeat to Mayo after his team booked their place in the All-Irelad SFC quarter-finals on Sunday.
The Kingdom romped to a 28-point victory over Louth at Laois Hire O'Moore Park to top Group 1 and earn home advantage in the last eight.
Having started the group stages with a loss to Mayo in Killarney that ended a 39-match unbeaten home championship run, this was sweet redemption for the Sam Maguire holders.
Highlights of Kerry's win over Louth in the All-Ireland SFC
Not that O'Connor was getting too carried away.
"I'm delighted with the performance," he said.
"We've been stuttering I suppose for the last few weeks. The lads have trained really hard so it's nice to see it coming together.
"There was a lot of despair in Kerry in the first game, the way we got taken apart by Mayo, but it's strange the way things have worked out. We certainly weren't expecting to top the group but we'll take it."
Elsehwere in the group Cork pulled off an incredible recovery against Mayo. They hit 1-06 without reply to achieve the three-point victory they needed to secure a home All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final.
Reflecting on the overall landscape as the dust settled, O'Connor added: "I figured Cork had a big chance. I said it to the boys on Thursday night. I thought Cork would be right in that game. They're well set up.
"[Cork coach] Kevin Walsh would know Mayo well. I gave Cork a right good chance going into that game."
Kerry can take a breather now as they look ahead to the quarters. It's been an up-and-down summer for O'Connor and his charges but he continues to embrace the unique pressures of the role.
"It's very enjoyable," he said. "Of course there's a bit of pressure, but sure there's pressure in everything. There's great rewards if you get the performances."
